Cricket fans love big hits! Nothing gets the crowd jumping like watching a ball fly over the boundary for six runs. Some batters are impressive at hitting sixes and can change the game in just a few balls.
In this article, you’ll learn about the top 10 cricketers who have hit the most sixes in international cricket. From Rohit Sharma’s powerful hitting to Chris Gayle’s explosive batting, these players have thrilled fans around the world.
By the end, you’ll know who hit the most sixes, how they played, and why they are so dangerous with the bat in hand.
Top 10 Players with the Most Sixes in International Cricket
Here’s a quick look at the top 10 six-hitters in international cricket history.
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG Sharma (IND) | 499 | 532 | 19700 | 42.18 | 87.26 | 49 | 108 | 637 |
| CH Gayle (ICC/WI) | 483 | 551 | 19593 | 37.97 | 77.24 | 42 | 105 | 553 |
| Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 524 | 508 | 11961 | 23.92 | 114.14 | 11 | 51 | 476 |
| BB McCullum (NZ) | 432 | 474 | 14676 | 34.37 | 82.11 | 19 | 76 | 398 |
| MJ Guptill (NZ) | 367 | 402 | 13463 | 35.90 | 81.27 | 23 | 76 | 383 |
| JC Buttler (ENG) | 384 | 389 | 11881 | 36.11 | 95.46 | 14 | 72 | 369 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 538 | 526 | 17266 | 44.96 | 79.05 | 16 | 108 | 359 |
| ST Jayasuriya (SL) | 586 | 651 | 21032 | 34.14 | 81.17 | 42 | 103 | 352 |
| EJG Morgan (ENG) | 379 | 361 | 10859 | 35.60 | 94.18 | 16 | 64 | 346 |
| AB de Villiers (SA) | 420 | 484 | 20014 | 48.11 | 74.67 | 47 | 109 | 328 |
Let’s take a closer look at each of these amazing six-hitters.
1. Rohit Sharma (India)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 2007 |
| Matches | 499 |
| Innings | 532 |
| Runs | 19700 |
| 6s | 637 |
Rohit Sharma is the king of sixes in international cricket! He has hit more sixes than anyone else in cricket history. The Indian opener is known for his smooth hitting and can make bowling look easy when he’s in form.
Rohit loves to hit sixes over mid-wicket and long-on. When he gets going, bowlers start to worry because he can hit any ball out of the ground. His timing is so perfect that even his defensive shots sometimes go for six! He has scored three double centuries in ODIs, showing how destructive he can be.
2. Chris Gayle (West Indies)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 1999 |
| Matches | 483 |
| Innings | 551 |
| Runs | 19593 |
| 6s | 553 |
Chris Gayle is cricket’s biggest six-hitting machine! This tall left-hander from Jamaica can destroy any bowling attack in the world. When Gayle is batting, fans know they’re going to see some massive hits.
Gayle hits sixes like it’s child’s play. He can clear the most significant grounds with ease and has hit some of the longest sixes ever seen in cricket. His power is scary for bowlers – even a mistimed shot can go for six! He once scored 175 not out in a World Cup match, hitting 13 sixes and making it look effortless.
3. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 1996 |
| Matches | 524 |
| Innings | 508 |
| Runs | 11961 |
| 6s | 476 |
Shahid Afridi was known as “Boom Boom” for good reason! This all-rounder could hit sixes from the moment he walked to the crease. Afridi never believed in playing it safe – he would swing hard and hit the ball miles.
Afridi’s six-hitting was pure entertainment. He would attack from ball one and could change the game in just a few minutes. His strike rate of 114.14 shows how fast he scored runs. Even when he was bowling, batters knew he could come back and hit quick sixes to win matches for Pakistan.
4. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 2002 |
| Matches | 432 |
| Innings | 474 |
| Runs | 14676 |
| 6s | 398 |
Brendon McCullum changed how cricket is played! This New Zealand wicket-keeper-batter showed the world that attacking cricket is the most fun cricket. McCullum would hit sixes from anywhere on the field.
McCullum’s six-hitting was fearless and exciting. He could hit sixes straight down the ground, over square leg, or even over point! His aggressive style inspired a whole generation of cricketers. When he was captain, New Zealand became known for its exciting brand of cricket that fans loved to watch.
5. Martin Guptill (New Zealand)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 2009 |
| Matches | 367 |
| Innings | 402 |
| Runs | 13463 |
| 6s | 383 |
Martin Guptill is one of the cleanest strikers of the ball in cricket. This New Zealand opener can hit huge sixes when he gets his eye in. Guptill’s timing and power make him very dangerous in the powerplay overs.
Guptill loves to hit sixes straight back over the bowler’s head. His technique is so good that he makes six-hitting look easy. He scored the highest individual score in World Cup history (237*) and hit many sixes in that innings. When Guptill is in form, bowlers struggle to find where to bowl to him.
6. Jos Buttler (England)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 2011 |
| Matches | 384 |
| Innings | 389 |
| Runs | 11881 |
| 6s | 369 |
Jos Buttler is England’s six-hitting superstar! This wicket-keeper-batter can hit sixes all around the ground and is known for his amazing ability to finish matches. Buttler’s strike rate of 95.46 shows how quickly he scores runs.
Buttler’s six-hitting is wise and powerful. He can wait for the right ball and then hit it out of the ground. His scoop shots and reverse sweeps often go for six, surprising bowlers and fans. When England needs quick runs, Buttler is the man they trust to deliver the big hits.
7. MS Dhoni (India)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 2004 |
| Matches | 538 |
| Innings | 526 |
| Runs | 17266 |
| 6s | 359 |
MS Dhoni was cricket’s most excellent finisher! This Indian captain and wicket-keeper was famous for hitting sixes to win matches. Dhoni’s helicopter shot became one of the most famous shots in cricket.
Dhoni’s six-hitting was calm and calculated. He would stay cool under pressure and hit the winning six when his team needed it most. His timing was perfect, and he could hit sixes even when running out of balls. Many of India’s most significant wins came because Dhoni hit crucial sixes at the right time.
8. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 1989 |
| Matches | 586 |
| Innings | 651 |
| Runs | 21032 |
| 6s | 352 |
Sanath Jayasuriya was one of cricket’s first big six-hitters! This Sri Lankan left-hander revolutionized the way cricket was played in the 1990s. Jayasuriya would attack from the first ball and hit sixes when other players were trying to get their eye in.
Jayasuriya’s six-hitting was revolutionary for his time. He showed that you could hit sixes in the first 15 overs when fielding restrictions were in place. His aggressive style helped Sri Lanka win the 1996 World Cup. Even after more than 20 years, people still remember how exciting Jayasuriya was to watch.
9. Eoin Morgan (England)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 2006 |
| Matches | 379 |
| Innings | 361 |
| Runs | 10859 |
| 6s | 346 |
Eoin Morgan was England’s six-hitting captain! This Irish-born left-hander led England to their first-ever World Cup win in 2019. Morgan could hit sixes in any direction and was especially good at hitting them behind square.
Morgan’s six-hitting was creative and innovative. He could sweep fast bowlers for six, reverse sweep spinners over the boundary, and hit conventional sixes straight down the ground. His leadership and six-hitting ability made England one of the most feared batting teams in the world.
10. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Debut | 2004 |
| Matches | 420 |
| Innings | 484 |
| Runs | 20014 |
| 6s | 328 |
AB de Villiers was known as “Mr. 360” because he could hit sixes in every direction! This South African genius could hit sixes with shots that no other player could even think of. His six-hitting was like magic.
De Villiers’ six-hitting was unbelievable to watch. He could hit sixes while falling over, while on one knee, or even while moving across his stumps. His 31-ball century against the West Indies included many incredible sixes. Bowlers never knew where to bowl to him because he could hit any ball for six.
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Conclusion: Rohit Sharma Leads The Six-Hitting Charts
Rohit Sharma is the king of sixes in international cricket with 637 maximums. But all these players have entertained fans with their excellent six-hitting abilities.
These players have shown us that cricket is not just about technique – it’s also about power, timing, and courage. They’ve inspired millions of young cricketers to dream of hitting big sixes.
Cricket is changing every year, and new players will try to break these records. But these legends will always be remembered for the joy and excitement they brought to cricket with their incredible six-hitting skills.
FAQs
Rohit Sharma from India has hit the most sixes in international cricket with 637 sixes across all formats.
Shahid Afridi from Pakistan has the highest strike rate (114.14) among the top 10 six-hitters, showing how aggressively he played.
While not officially measured, Chris Gayle and Shahid Afridi are famous for hitting some of the longest sixes, with many traveling over 100 meters.
Three Indian players are in the top 10: Rohit Sharma (1st), MS Dhoni (7th), making India well-represented in power-hitting.
Rohit has been consistently hitting sixes across all formats for over 15 years. His technique and timing enable him to hit sixes without exerting too much power, making him very consistent and a dangerous bowler.
